9/4/2011Connect
1. Motivate
When have you felt insignificant in an organization?
-when they fail to mention your contribution
-when the boss doesn’t know your name
-when no one notices what you did
-when you were the only one who didn’t get a raise
-when you don’t have a reserved parking spot
-when you were absent and no one noticed
2. Transition
In the Body of Christ, the Church, everyone is significant!
Today we look at how we are interdependent
-Everyone needs everyone else
3. Bible Study
3.1Community is Vital
Listen for Paul’s analogy for the church.
1 Cor. 12:12-18 (NIV) The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. [13] For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. [14] Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. [15] If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. [16] And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. [17] If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? [18] But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
In what way are Christians like a human body?
-we are a unit
-we are made up of many parts/individuals
-the many individuals are of great variety
-we are given life by one Entity, the Holy Spirit
What makes Christians unified and dependent on one another?
-we are like a body
-all the parts are different
-but each part is important for life
-when one of our body parts is removed, lost, we miss it, we don’t do as well without it (except maybe the appendix?)
-each believer needs every other believer to be made complete in Christ
Who arranged the parts of the body of Christ? Why is that significant?
-God did the arranging
-God did the design – both of our physical bodies, and of the church
-we should depend on Him to make them all work together
-we should realize the significance and workability of His design
-we should appreciate each other as God’s design for us as individuals within the church
What body parts come to action when you receive an injury such as a cut?
-feet take you to medicine cabinet
-hands apply antiseptic and band aid
-eyes guide the hand
What body parts come to action when you drive children to an event or activity?
-hands, eyes, feet, ears
What elements of the Body of Christ come to action when our church communicates the Gospel message?
-pastor preaches
-musicians lead in worship
-various members invite people to church
-people give tithes and offerings to provide resources and pay bills
-people pray for the lost, pray for those who lead the effort
How does following God’s directives to get along keep us from assuming we’re the only one who does things rightly?
-other believers are also being led by the Holy Spirit
-God is empowering and directing others within the church
-we need them and their ways of doing things in some situations
-not all Truth resides in me
Remember that Paul was addressing a group who thought some spiritual gifts were better than others
How can we value others in our own church, whether or not their gifts match ours?
-don’t be jealous of others with same spiritual gift as mine
-don’t be jealous of those whose spiritual gift gets lots of exposure (musicians, teachers, committee chairmen)
-don’t assume that my gift is more important than yours
In God’s economy, the little old ladies who prayed for Billy Graham were just as important as Dr. Graham when he preached to thousands each night of a crusade.
3.2Community Cares for Its Own
Listen for the interdependability of church members.
1 Cor. 12:21-26 (NIV) The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" [22] On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, [23] and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, [24] while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, [25] so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. [26] If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Why should members of the body of Christ not say to each other, “I don’t need you”?
-because we DO need one another
-we don’t always realize how indispensable each other is
-it is God’s design … don’t mess with it
-we cannot always see the purpose of God’s design – within the body, within the Church
Why do people often assume that certain duties in the church are more important?
-that position is more often seen in front or in charge
-obviously the person running things is the most important
-visible jobs are assumed to be important
-if you don’t see someone doing the task, how can it be important
-most anyone could do the behind the scene jobs
Why should the less honorable parts be treated with special attention?
-“less honorable” is our perception
-God’s plan/design/intent is not always seen by us
-God died for them, same as us
-there is a special task/gift given to each that only they can fulfill
-we would be incomplete without that person
How can you honor the contributions of others in your church?
-thank them
-pray for them
-share with them how important their task is
-have a special time of recognition
What does Paul say about how God intends for members of the Body of the Christ, the church to be combined, interdependent?
-should be no divisions
-cannot write someone off, just because we don’t agree or see their usefulness
-when one member of the Body of Christ suffers, we all suffer
-just like when you injure an arm or leg, the whole rest of the body responds (remember the last time you bumped your “funny bone”)
3.3 Community Leads to the Lord’s Blessing
If you have had a serious injury, how did it affect the rest of your body?
-hurt all over
-couldn’t even read a library book
-hurt so bad couldn’t watch TV
-couldn’t sleep – uncomfortable in any position
Listen for a description of healthy bodies feeling “good and pleasant.”
Psalm133:1-3(NIV)Howgoodandpleasantitiswhenbrotherslivetogetherinunity![2]Itislikepreciousoilpouredonthehead,runningdownonthebeard,runningdownonAaron'sbeard,downuponthecollarofhisrobes.[3]ItisasifthedewofHermonwerefallingonMountZion.FortheretheLordbestowshisblessing,evenlifeforevermore.
What does this psalm say about relationships?
-unity is good and pleasant
-it’s like fragrant oil – to excess
-it’s like a fresh dewy morning in the mountains
-you experience God’s blessings
Think about all the different kinds of and uses of oil. What happens when oil is not available?
-lack of cooking oil causes things to stick
-lack of lubricating oil increases friction – prohibits mechanical movement
-lack of fuel oil means no light/heat
David says that harmony is like oil … what happens when two or more believers don’t choose harmony?
-increase friction between these people
-things get sticky
-things heat up from the friction
What are some ways you could use to illustrate the pleasance and/or unity in the way that David used oil and dew?
Finish the sentence, “It’s as pleasant as______”
-it’s as pleasant as the smell of fresh bread
-it’s as pleasant as warm mince pie and ice cream
-It's as pleasant as the month of June
-It's as pleasant as a warm fall day in the woods
What about expressions for “unity”? “Unity is like ______.”
-Unity is like pancake mix and water
-Unity is like forming a team
-Unity is like a link that connects a long chain. If we are united none can destroy us.
-Unity is like a good song
4. Application
4.1Spiritual gifts are given by God, through His Spirit
-The Church is a community of faith and love that can be called the Body of Christ
-The Body of Christ is one
-The the members of the Body of Christ (that’s you) have a diversity of Spiritual gifts
-If you don’t know your gift, ask God to help you discover it.
4.2You don’t choose your Spiritual gift … God gifts you according to His will
-Each member of the Body of Christ is important
-We are all interdependent
-This week exercise your gift to minister to the Body of Christ
4.3 Brothers (all believers) should live in unity
-Pursue unity with others – even when you don’t exactly agree
-See how this a good and pleasant experience for everyone
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